Ebony Chants
New Focus, 2024
8/10
The composer and clarinetist Paolo Marchettini pens solo and group pieces here, where a listen entirely of clarinets unfolds across 12 adventurous selections.
“Due Canti: I. II canto del giorno” starts the listen with a trio of clarinets, where Marchettini is joined by Meng Zhang and Ka Hei Chan for the swirling dynamics that are both warm and mysterious, and “Cinque Oracoli” follows with just Marchettini’s lone wind that moves with agility and introspection.
Moving into the middle, the dreamy aspect of “Cinque Fanfare Napoletane” brings the 3 clarinets back to bright bouts of playfulness, while “Three Sketches” positions Marchettini’s eloquent playing in a way that’s heartfelt and, towards the end, a bit exploratory.
Close to the exit, “Entrée” employs Tommy Shermulis’ bass clarinet acrobatics for a particularly exciting, lower register piece, and “Due Canti:II. II canto della notte” exits with a cautious mood of intimacy and grace.
A highly creative effort that uses microtones and extended techniques, the versatility and sophistication of the clarinet is explored here with very alluring abilities.
Travels well with: Jessica Meyer- I Long And Seek After; Michael Hersch- Poppaea